Car Review: 2010 Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolets

Deft and devine droptops

By Gabriel Gélinas, Canwest News Service

Originally published: August 10, 2011

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Video Audi A5 CoupeVideo Audi S5 Coupe

When the A5 and S5 coupes were introduced in late 2007, the writing was on the wall for all to see, and it was just a matter of time before the sedan-based A4 and S4 Cabriolet would be replaced in Audi’s lineup by convertible variants of its swoopy and sexy coupes. That time is now and, for Canadian drivers, the new A5 and S5 Cabriolets will be available in late summer/early fall as 2010 models.

No pricing information has been revealed, but it is a fair assumption that these new arrivals will be offered at a lower price point than the current A4 and S4 cabrios, which sell for a base price of $52,900 and $75,500, respectively.

While most competitors have gone to a rigid-and-retractable roof setup for their cabrios, Audi is bucking that trend and sticking with a fabric roof for the A5 and S5 in the interest of low weight, speedy operation and more cargo space. Indeed, opening or closing the fabric top takes only about 15 seconds and can be done while the car is in motion, provided the speed does not exceed 50 kilometres an hour, while cargo space is rated at 11.3 cubic feet with the roof down, about 3.5 cu. ft. more than rivals equipped with a rigid-and-retractable roof.

Performance enthusiasts who crave sunshine may be disappointed to learn that the droptop S5 is not powered by the lusty 4.2-litre V8 found under the hood of the S5 coupe, but rather by the supercharged 3.0L V6 derived from the A6 sedan. Rated at 333 horsepower in the S5, this blown V6 is no slouch, being just a few ponies shy of the 350-hp V8, but it does not have the throaty sound common to V8 engines — the engine note of the supercharged V6 being somewhat muted.

On the winding roads of Provence, it is easy to hustle the S5 along, thanks to its very stiff chassis, standard quattro all-wheel-drive system, the broad and constant torque band of the supercharged engine and the standard fast-shifting seven-speed S Tronic double-clutch gearbox, which is absolutely stellar.

The car always feels well connected to the road, especially when the Audi drive select system is set at the dynamic setting, which speeds up both throttle response and shift speed, firms up the dampers as well as the servotronic steering and also acts on the optional sport differential to transfer torque to the outside rear wheel when cornering. The result is that the S5 can become a very quick and capable driver’s car just by tweaking its electronic controls to deliver a truly rewarding driving experience. The car can also be driven at a more relaxed pace with just a few adjustments made by way of the MMI (Multi Media Interface) to select softer settings so both the driver and passengers can enjoy the scenery. Styling-wise, the S5 gets a number of distinctive design features, such as bigger air intakes as well as four tailpipes, black brake calipers with S5 logos and aluminum-look exterior mirrors.

The A5 Cabriolet will be available in Canada with the 3.2L, 265-hp V6 engine, standard quattro all-wheel-drive as well as the Tiptronic automatic gearbox. There is also a remote possibility that the A5 Cabrio may eventually be available with the turbocharged, 2.0L four-cylinder, if Audi Canada ever feels it has to lower the price point by about $4,000. Compared with the S5, the A5 feels more relaxed and drives like a solid touring car, but it does not relish being hustled around corners as much as the faster S5.

The quality of fit and finish of both the A5 and S5 is up to the exacting standards that have become a hallmark of the brand in recent years.Audi has also borrowed two effective features put forth by its competitors and offered them as options on the A5/S5 cabrios. The first is the neck-level heating system, which Mercedes-Benz pioneered some time ago and calls the Airscarf. The second is leather upholstery treated with a special coating to inhibit solar heating while the car is parked under the sun with the top down, something BMW first introduced a few years ago on the M6 Cabriolet.